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After The Vampire Diaries was one of the most talked about television dramas for several years, trying to create spin-off series was a no-brainer. Of course, lots of spin-offs fail, but The Originals and Legacies garnered many fans even if they couldn't live up to the popularity of the first show.
After starring in the fifth season of The Originals, Danielle Rose Russell went on to headline Legacies. Unsurprisingly, starring in two major series like that had a significant effect on Russell's net worth. Russell also developed a loyal fan following that has supported her career since Legacies ended.
Unfortunately for fans of seeing Russell perform, she has recently taken a step back from acting for a truly admirable reason. Of course, when an actor leaves a role and opts to stop acting at least for a while, it is only natural for fans to wonder if they hated the role that just ended.
For anyone curious about how Russell felt about starring in Legacies, her feelings about her most famous show seem very clear. With that in mind, it only begs one question, how did Russell really feel about starring in Legacies?
What Did Danielle Rose Russell Think About Starring In Legacies At First?
Only days after the first episode of Legacies premiered, Collider interviewed Danielle Rose Russell about starring in the show in November 2018. During the resulting conversation, Russell revealed some fascinating facts including that she knew Legacies was a possibility early on.
"When I signed on to do The Originals, I knew that there was a possibility, at least, but I didn’t find out that we were a go until May, and I actually found out through Instagram. I love it. I think a lot of people think that because of Legacies, The Originals was the way it was, but I actually did not find out until several months after The Originals ended."
Related: The Real Reason Fans Are Obsessed With Whether Or Not Danielle Rose Russell Is Dating Anyone
When Russell joined The Originals' cast, that was a mammoth deal for her career. That said, the fact remains that Russell never was The Originals' main star. On the other hand, Russell portrayed Legacies' main character.
From the outside looking in, it can be easy to think that there isn't much difference between starring in a show and portraying a series' main character. However, a series' lead actor is under a lot more pressure. With that in mind, it makes sense that Collider's interviewer asked her about how hard that transition was.
"Life is definitely a little crazier. This show has represented so much for me that I’ve wanted to accomplish in my career that I never thought I would, in such a short amount of time, or at least at this point in my life."
After making those remarks, Russell went on to express how much gratitude she has for getting the chance to headline a show. On top of being thankful to headline a show, Russell was happy for the opportunity to do more with her starring role.
"I'm very grateful for that, and I can’t wait to do more than just be the lead of the show. I can’t wait to represent a lot for myself and for other people. Personally, it’s represented a lot of milestones and a lot of life changes. I had to move and create my life around this now, but I can’t complain. I’m enjoying it."
Related: Did Joseph Morgan Earn More On The Originals Or The Vampire Diaries?
Later in the same interview, Russell was asked about how she was enjoying doing stunts and working on a show with so many special effects.
"It’s so much fun. I really enjoy doing stunts, especially. I had never done any stunt work, ever, in my life before, and in our first episode of Legacies, I was doing a bunch. And in episodes to come, I will be doing more, and I’m absolutely loving it."
"That was a new thing that I found I really enjoy. I actually kickbox in my own real life, so it came naturally to me." Russell continued, "Effects are always fun, too. When you’re on set, you feel ridiculous, but it always turns out so cool and so good. We have an amazing effects team. It’s fun, but it’s all new. It’s opened a bunch of doors to me, and I’ve actually been really enjoying."
How Did Danielle Rose Russell Feel About Legacies When The Show Ended?
When a show is first starting, its stars have every reason to tell fans they love the series even if they don't. By the time a show is coming to an end, however, that same actor can be more honest about how they feel since it isn't like the show can be canceled anymore.
On top of that, even if an actor loved starring in a show at first, they could have grown to hate the experience after several years of headlining it. With all that in mind, it is fascinating to look at what Russell said about Legacies when the show was ending.
Related: The Sad Truth About Danielle Rose Russell’s Weight Loss
In 2022, Russell was interviewed about Legacies ending by someone from observer.com. During the resulting conversation, Russell revealed how shocked she was to learn Legacies was ending.
"I mean, I’m a totally different person now. I think when I got the call that the show was ending, that really hit me, and my entire life just changed. I’m 22—five years is a long time for someone my age—and it’s just over like that in a phone call. It really hit me that I haven’t not played Hope since I was 17, and I look at where I’m at now and I am a totally different person."
As hard as it clearly was for Russell to learn that her time starring in Legacies was over, she went on to talk about how starring in the show changed her for the better.
"Legacies has changed my life for the better, and it’s taught me so much. I feel like I grew up on the show, and it made me the person that I am today, and I’m proud of that. I’m forever grateful to the show and to the family that made the show."
Russell then went on to speak about how much starring in Legacies taught her to appreciate the people who make a show like that possible.
"And as an actor, it made me so much more aware of how hard people work in this industry, and what it takes to be a No. 1 [on a call sheet]. I never thought I was gonna be able to say that I was No. 1 at such a young age."
"And seeing what comes with that and responsibilities, it taught me a lot and gave me a lot of appreciation as an actor. . . . It’s crazy!" Russell laughed and then continued, "Five years—and it’s over. I just can’t even believe it’s over."
Later in the same interview, Russell was asked what she would miss most about starring in Legacies.
"I’m gonna miss mostly the camaraderie and the friendships and relationships that I’ve made [while] filming the show. As a person, as Danielle, that’s the hardest thing to let go of. It’s [no longer] being around the same people that you’ve been around with, who have seen you grow up."
"I had a couple of people come up to me when they said goodbye to me and say, 'I literally watched you grow up and become an adult.'" Russell continued, "We’re together all day, every day, for five years—more than we are with our family and friends. That sacrifice that you collectively make, as a group doing something, is a very unique one, and it’s a very special one."
